Archive | March 2017

Twenty eager Big Red Quilters gathered for a workshop at Beechwood Lodge in the morning to learn from Frieda Anderson. She taught her method of fusing to make “Seaside Village”, using her beautiful hand dyed fabrics. No sewing machines were needed!

In the evening, a general meeting was held at Beechwood Church where Frieda was the guest lecturer. During her slide presentation, she showed her dying technique and methods for fused and pieced quilts based on nature. It was a day and evening of inspiration and delight as we viewed her bright, artisitic creations. For more information, go to http://www.friestyle.com and frieda@friestyle.com.

President, Pat Navis, announced that BRQG has donated 44 quilts to the Holland Police Department. Donation slips for tax purposes are now available for fabric and batting purchased for charity quilts, and other out-of-pocket donations. They will be available at the sign in table at future meetings.

Pat welcomed 6 guests and 2 new members.

Kathy Mueller, Program Chair., explained the need for long white tables to be kept in the lodge for future classes. By the end of the meeting, thanks to budgeted money and member donations, we only need to come up with funding for one more table. Kathy is looking for a couple of additional members to demonstrate their favorite tools at the April 24 meeting.

Barb Bredemeier, Vice President, invited those present to join the Ultimate Guild Challenge entitled “Blooming Butterflies”. Application forms were available at the meeting and are available on the website.

Colleen Dekker and Beth Wright from 2017 Tulip Time Quilt Show announced that they would like more entries from the BRQG Red and White Challenge for this year’s show. Also, they would like members of BRQG to volunteer to help greet and take tickets at this year’s show. Contact Carol Keen if you are willing to help: 616-396-1170 or bckeen1@att.net.

To find the Tulip Time entry form go to: tuliptime.com, click on get involved, then click on forms & applications and there you will find the quilt show entry form line – click on it and then you can print out the form from there.

Tonight we were pleased to view a colorful presentation by Frieda Anderson as she showed her progress over the years from a traditional quilter to a modern quilter- her use of color sets apart her work as does her designs. She showed the dyeing process and took us through all of the steps she does to accomplish her design elements

Hello quilting friends…..I read an interesting blog recently about being in an artistic slump. You know, that time when everything you normally love to do, whether it’s quilt, paint, draw, write, weave, sculpt, etc…..just isn’t doing it for you. You need a push, and you find yourself depressed over overachiever friends. Everyone finds themselves in creative blocks now and then, so I reinterpreted the suggestions for quilters. But these work for pretty much anything…..just fill in the blanks. It also ties in with a fascinating documentary that aired on PBS……about Dr. Marian Diamond, MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE BRAIN, about neuroscience and brain plasticity, our human need to continually feed our brains with new things…..remember the old saying, use it or lose it.

1. Show Up: This is the single most effective thing you can do to improve your creativity and productivity…spend time in your sewing room. Get in there. Even if you are just looking around, sorting fabrics, thumbing thru quilt magazines, or organizing your space. Simply spending time in your studio will inspire you, and improve your productivity and creativity.

2. Set Goals: Set goals for yourself and break them down into smaller categories: Long Range, Short Term and Immediate. Example: I am going to piece 5 blocks today, 2 rows this week etc and you’ll be finished in no time.

3. Dress the Part: Get comfy. Put on your favorite comfortable sewing clothes for motivation. Discover your power outfit and wear it when you need to perform at your best.

4. Connect with Community: Join an online forum or a local quilt guild and meet once a month. Start a blog and invite people to share their comments. Attend a retreat where you meet with old friends or make new ones. Join a bee. Visit quilt museums and shows. Connecting with others will keep you going and inspired.

5. Make Yourself Accountable: Tell someone what you are working on and share your progress with them. Enlist their help to keep you on track. Knowing that someone is waiting to see your results can help maintain your momentum.

6. Adjust your Expectations: Not every quilt will earn a ribbon or grand prize so take off the magnifying glasses and stop obsessing over matched seams. Keep in mind where it’s being used….is it a throw quilt or show quilt!?!

7. Open Your Studio: Invite friends over to quilt. This will motivate you to get your sewing space cleaned and organized. It’s just the kick in the pants you might need, and gives you time in your space.

8. Enter shows: Nothing like a deadline to get you motivated so enter quilt shows and create new work to submit. Even if you don’t win a ribbon, the exercise of judging your work is invaluable. Yes, we said stop being so critical, but it’s all about balance.

9. Take a Class: Sign up for a class or workshop. This will help you plug into your quilt community and connect with like minded folks. It’s a perfect way to find additional inspiration.

10. Organize a bee: Invite friends over to discuss what works for everyone. Is it a large open bee, or small group that meets in homes? How often do you meet? Again, more accountability for each of us when friends keep us motivated.

11. Trade knowledge: Share your knowledge and techniques and welcome the same from others. Use the feedback you receive to improve. The exchange of ideas (those lightbulb moments) will help you stay energized.

12. Give Yourself Permission: This is the most important tip of all…Don’t let other work trap you into paralysis. Yes, the dishes, laundry and errands need to be done, but nothing has to suffer if you schedule your time effectively. Assign tasks to others….say that spouse that is glued to the couch watching TV??? Schedule time and give yourself permission to do what you love……quilt!

Byron Center, Michigan – The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild’s next meeting will be on Wed., April 5, featuring Lauren Strach on “Subtraction and Addition: Using Discharge and Indigo Dyeing to Create Works of Art,” at the Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8th St., Holland, MI 49423, starting promptly at 6:30pm with social time beginning at 6pm. Non-members are asked to pay $5 toward the speaker’s fee.

A St. Joseph resident, master gardener and former college professor, Lauren Strach’s large quilts have the mysterious aura of the garden and wild plants. She uses recycled fabrics that have been intentionally distressed and then hand sewn together in the boro tradition.

The fabrics have been made with several processes, beginning with the removal of color through discharge. Additionally, many of the pieces have been over-dyed with indigo. Her quilts utilize many of the latest mixed media techniques, including hand-dyeing, discharge, painting on fabric and embroidery. Her presentation will be a trunk show of her latest work.

The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild invites anyone interested in the textile fiber arts to their monthly program meetings held the first Wednesday of each month at the Holland Area Arts Council. For more information, visit the guild’s blog at http://lakeshorefiberartsguild.blogspot.com or contact jgould1526@gmail.com or 616-878-1526.

Save your spot in the Seaside Village class with Frieda Anderson on March 27, 2017. The class will be held in the Beachwood Lodge from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Learn Frieda’s special method of fusing with no wasted fabric. Even your binding will be fused. We will work with Frieda’s hand dyed fabrics and create a piece you’ll be proud to display in your home. The cost of the class is $50.00 for members and $60.00 for nonmembers. Your payment in full insures your place in the class until the limit of 20 has been reached. There is also a $35.00 kit fee which covers the high quality hand-dyed fabric and the pattern.

Class spots are now open to members and nonmembers.

Members are responsible for providing their own lunches snacks and beverages. Coffee and tea will be available. There is a refrigerator and microwave in the lodge. Thirty minutes will be set aside for lunch so there is not time for going out.

If you have questions, call Kathy Mueller, program chair at 616-399-4685 or lapkat@charter.net. You may send your payment and reservation to me 1732 Red Stem Drive, Holland MI 49424.